Are you Going Green with Reusable Bags?

I was at Ikea last night picking up some stuff for home DIY (I love working with my hands 🙂 ) and at the checkout, realized that Ikea now charges 20 sen for a plastic bag. Its no wonder that they have dropped the price of their big blue bags to RM1.90 each. Fortunately, I bought small items which I could throw into my Rootote.

I was also at a Carrefour hypermarket recently where at the cashier lane, I was informed that they were not giving out plastic bags but I could purchase or “rent” their reusable bag at 50sen. I later read they were charging something like 20 sen for plastic bags. Again, into the Rootote they went.

These are the present “Go Green” efforts by the local hypermarkets and stores. I read about public hue and cry over the additional costs for plastic bags at Carrefour (although some lauded the approach) but I don’t know how well received it is, generally or how long it’ll last.

The problem as I see it is that many Malaysians do reuse the plastic bags we get for our garbage. I do anyway. Recycling or composting is not done in a big way here, and if you live in an apartment and have wet rubbish you don’t really want to compost or recycle because the heat and humidity will really make your place stink up. So, what alternatives for garbage bags do people have? Buy them? Kind of defeats the purpose of cutting down on the use of plastic bags right?
That said, I’m all for using your own reusable bags for shopping or grocery shopping. I primarily use the RuMe bags and I keep the Mini in my bag all the time. I may need more because I switch bags now and then and forget. I also carry around my Envirosax for larger bulkier objects – after all I already own it so I might as well use it. And now that Ikea is starting to charge for plastic bags, the RuMe Macro I own finally has its use for carrying bulky objects home from Ikea!

The initial cost of owning a reusable bag can be comparatively high (e.g. RM29 for a RuMe Mini) but if the stores are going to make it the norm to charge for plastic bags, I’d think the long term benefits outweighs the initial cost, don’t you? 20 sen a bag can really add up after a while.

Of course, you don’t need the compact little Rume bag. You can always reuse old plastic bags or paper bags or get the cheaper reusable bags sold by the supermarkets or any foldable reusable bag available in the market. Just keep a couple in your car or handbag so you don’t forget.

One firm favorite of mine is the black one you see in the picture above which I got from MidValley Megamall one year. Its perfect for carrying large heavy items. For groceries, I happen to prefer the RuMe as it looks more fashionable and is easier to throw into my handbag so I don’t forget when I grocery shop after work 🙂

Have you made it the norm to carry a reusable bag? What are you using?

YOU MAY FIND THESE THESE POSTS HELPFUL TOO!

About Paris B

Paris B is a 40-something beauty and skincare enthusiast with a practical and very critical view of beauty products and the world of beauty. Her mission on My Women Stuff is to deliver clear, honest reviews and facilitate discussions about beauty trends and life, tempered with a healthy dose of humour. Let the buyer's remorse be ours not yours! When not testing the newest skincare creams and lotions, or playing with makeup, find her testing her culinary skills in the kitchen at Chez PB. Read more about us here or leave a comment below or connect with us on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

Nice thinking 🙂 I like the reusable bag idea ever since I bought my first Rootote. I bought mine from their website, I used it as my baby bag, it’s the one with 3 little pigs and pancake design… it’s so cute. Until one day I realized it’s a bit small to put baby stuff. But Now i just use it for grocery shopping etc.

I think the Rootote bag would be a good “BAG in your own BAG” for overseas shopping trips, just incase you have bought a lot of little things like make up or jewelry, I try my best not to ask the shop assistant for a plastic bag. I’ll just dump everything in my Rootote bag. It’s also easier to carry one bag rather than all those little bags anyway.

Gosh! Your nick is making me hungry! LOL… I find the Rootote a bit bulky for carrying on travels. I prefer the foldable bags like the RuMe for that. I did use it on my last trip overseas and as you said, its way easier to carry 1 bag than many shopping bags! Also I read that in some countries they actually will charge you for plastic bags so I’m glad I’ve started the habit of carrying my own 🙂

I think the main problem is nt that we don’t want to carry reusable bags, but it costs a lot to even get one. Retailers over-charge… I cant imagine paying RM15 jst for three recyclable bags, and if they aren’t strong enough to hold all my groceries, why should I get them?

I have a couple of Coles, & Woolworths green bags that I brought back from Australia. I got them for only AUD0.99cents and they are pretty hardy for over 3 years of use. Probably a good time to start using them again in KL.

It was very useful when I was a student, as we all had to take the bus, and plastic bags just could not hold the groceries in, so these “reusable bags” were really good when taking the public transport.

As for plastic bags, we just used the white bin liners (which we bought), or the plastic bags which were given to us on the occasional time when we did get ‘free” plastic bags during some shopping trips somewhere.

I must say I agree with you. Which is why I’d rather pay my RM29 or so for a “designer” foldable than buy the paper ones from the supermarkets. The recycling initiative has picked up overseas better but I guess we have to give our retailers a chance since they are just starting out. Ikea did drop the price of their blue bag – I thought it was commendable, but I don’t find it useful for anything other than carrying stuff out from Ikea! or maybe super bulky items.

Hey Paris, I’ve been secretly reading your site for a loooong time. This time I feel like giving a comment regarding this topic. The problem about Malaysia is our mindset of thinking that going green is just a fad that will fade away soon. The best way to reduce non-biodegradable source like plastics is to use reuseable bag like you suggested. However, people just don’t feel like carrying little bag around especially if they are buying in bulk.

Keep up the great post ,Paris. I always love your reviews and articles. =)

Welcome! 🙂 I don’t know how long Carrefour is keeping it up but Ikea looks to be permanent. Good I say! Even if some might complain. I did see people pay the 20 sen for the plastic bag probably thinking “Heck! Its only 20 sen” but it can add up. The thing is, reusable bags don’t have to be little. The RuMe Macro for example can fit tons and so does my free black one in the pic. if you carry a few reusable bags and throw them into the trolley at the supermarket, it should take care of most of the bulk. Thanks for leaving your thoughts.

I’m glad M’sia is starting to catch up on this. THe few times I shopped at Tesco and refused their bags, I was given weird looks. Over here, using your own bags for groceries or any form of shopping is the norm. I have a couple of environsax (one in the car, one in my handbag at all times) and for groceries, we either use a fancy-schmancy sharp pink trolley or the reusable bags from grocery stores.

I think the last time I requested for plastic bags while shopping was when I, err, went a little insane during a, err.. yarn sale. My purchases wouldn’t fit into my environsax and was threatenning to spill my precious precious wool/alpaca/silk 😛

Hey! It’s funny, here in Austria we’ve had that system for years and years (at least more than 10!!). You pay for plastic bags and paper bags at *all* supermarkets in the country. It works pretty well and has educated people to bring their own bags and baskets. I was rather shocked when I was in the US for the first time and realized that they pack everything for you at supermarkets and use like 5 bags for all your shopping. (although I have to mention exceptions like Whole Foods, which pay you money if you bring your own bag). It’s incredible how wasteful some countries still are and how long it takes for them to catch up on what other countries have introdcued long ago. It gives me the feeling that when it comes to environmental protection there is very little exchange of ideas happening worldwide and I am sure we could learn a lot from each other.
I really love your blog, too! 🙂

Thanks for coming by! I guess we are just catching up with the rest of the world… making a start as it were. Its a lot harder in developing countries to implement things like this though without proper education. Hopefully by the time the next generation comes up it’ll be the norm 🙂

Believe me, it’s not just the developing countries! It’s sad that the EU is more concerned with finding norms for the curve and size of a banana (no kidding, there is a Euro-norm from 1994) than with EU-wide recycling programs or environmental measures. Judging from your blog there are quite a few people in your country sharing your concern about the environment and already take measures without being forced to. That’s the spirit! 🙂

Finally! Someone in Malaysia that thinks like I do!
For the longest time, I’ve always had an extra shopping bag with me. Cashiers like the ones in Watsons or Jusco used to think I was weird when I said I have my own bag. I had to stop some of them try to put my purchases in plastic bags to put into my shopping bag! In the past year I have converted most of my family to carrying these little bags by purchasing Roototes for them from LYN sellers. Best investment I made in 2008 ^_^ My new favourite shopping bag is the one from Starbucks. Even the Boyfriend has a matching one in his car for any shopping that he might do.

High 5! 🙂 Yeah I used to get the strange looks when using my own bag too. Now however, its the norm and they even help me pack my bags. I haven’t tried using the Roototes for groceries – I don’t want to soil them!

I got into the habit of reusable bags in europe. It’s nice not to get weird looks anymore and be called a tree-hugger here when I pull out my reusable bags.

I so far have the envirosax, a medium roo-shopper, a LE Cath Kidston for Tesco grocery bag, and a RM5 reusable bag from Daiso that’s shaped like a standard plastic bag. I love being able to sling the larger ones over my shoulder.

About bin liners, you can buy biodegradable plastic bags to line your bins – I do. They are pricier, so it’s harder for supermarkets to supply them for free. But they’re not crazy expensive either. =)

I like being able to sling my bags too! At least I dont’ have plastic cutting into the palm of my hands… now they just cut into my shoulder LOL… I didn’t know about the biodegradable bin liners. Will have to look into them.

Great post PB!
I have a couple of bags I bought from Aussie few years back and I used to get weird stares from people when I carried them but now people have gotten used to em I suppose.
Going green is what we should do and start right now coz Mother Earth ain’t gonna tolerate with our messy behaviour and it’s disheartening to see world’s precious creatures getting choked up with all the plastic bags we throw ever so carelessly.
I’m so happy to see ur post on this matter and the response that you’ve gatheres…if only more of us think this way!!! 🙂

now i am always with my rume 😀 it is forever in my handbag so i never forget to lug it with me!!! but but, if we have to pay for plastic bags, how are we going to dispose our rubbish in future? then we have to buy and pay for our garbage?

I totally agree with your point on reusing plastic bags. When I go grocery shopping, I’d want the plastic bag for my garbage but for small things (eg. watsons) I wouldn’t because those plastic bags would be too small for it to be useful.

I have two of those shopping bag. one’s from Daiso (pink and only RM5!) and another is the one that looks like envirosax but blue with cute ducks 😀 I use that for pharmacy and clothes shopping.

I used to reuse the small plastic bags for my desktop bin in my room – the one I use to toss used facial cotton and tissue into but I don’t use it anymore because I graduated to a larger bin LOL… But yeah I’ll miss getting free bags for garbage

This charging for pastic bag has been a practice in taiwan for the longest time and I LOVE IT!!! it reduced the garbage that we used to see on the streets there by big time and people are more aware of what’s bad of the environment.
I am very BIG on recycling myself. I push a funny looking trolly (which i leave in my trunck all the time) in Ikano almost always and every shop there knows me by the look of my trolly (well and the sound too.) i wash plastic bags and reuse them as many times as possible. I am the type that wash “garbage” according to some friends… *_*

Yep! I’d heard about Taiwan and I’m glad its starting to catch on here too. I hope its not a flash in the pan though. Retailers might enjoy it though – more money to be made by charging for plastic bags LOL… Now I know who to look for when I see someone with a trolley in Ikano 😉

Hi…. I used reusable bags that comes in different size or shapes…Regardless of the brand… with or without, doesn’t matter as long as i can help the environment…. What really weird/bothers me alot is…people find me weird…. The shopper behind me or the baggage personnel… its all because, i bring my own bag…
for me, even if the cost of the plastic bag were included to the marked up of whatever goods you buy…. you still have to get your share of those plastics bags….

I scoffed back at people who gives me weird looks by using reusable bags (ok, i am the mean one), my RUME is with me everywhere I go and sometimes I will leave extra bags in my car just to be sure I have a chance to use them , and I can always rely on my big handbag to throw in small items I bought.Its never a hassle once your get used to the ideas. I am not sure how eco friendly it is but I buy bio-degradeable garbage bags from hypermarkets to solve the garbage problems.

nice article PB! i tried to, whenever i can, bring a reuseable bag when i go grocery shopping, but still i get those weird looks from the cashier. some of them are ok, but some (i think the new trainee cashiers) were like, “are u sure u dont want any plastic bags?”
i also try to buy the biodegradable bin liners if they’re available when i ran out of it.

i do have the blue ikea bag that i use to lug big items, otherwise i juz use the free bags i got from pharmaceutical reps 😀

Oooo… I have actually PLENTY of reusable bags but I just keep forgetting to bring them along… I put them in the car but then I end up forgetting to bring them down… swts… I’ve used them quite a few times though… My mom saw ppl in the supermarts carrying the reusable bags but then they still pack them in the plastic bags… What’s the use?

Yea, I reuse my plastic bags for garbage… The government should find alternatives for us on how to dispose our garbage… Like u said, composting would be difficult for those who live in apt like mua…

I’m a student and I used to cycle to the morning market with my empty backpack. The limit of my purchase is as much as my bag would hold 😛

Other times..I use some canvas bags I got from events and what not…but when I don’t carry a proper ‘shopping bag’ with me, and only purchase small items, I just tuck them into my handbag.

And one thing really bugs me. Hypermarkets like Tesco tries to encourage shoppers to use the reusable bags or bring your own plastic bag…by giving you green points but whenever I tell the cashier that I have my own bag…they give me a weird look. This doesnt only happen in Tesco but almost everywhere. Watsons, Jusco, some even insist that you use one just cuz they’ve pulled the plastic bag out of the box before you tell them you have your own bag.

I used to go shopping with a backpack too when I was a student. It was easier to lug everything home on my back. Next time if they insist, give them a lecture on how they are NOT helping us green the planet 😉

I am learning to be green and have bought 2 RuMes. However, I gotta educate myself to remember to bring them everytime I go grocery shopping. Nowadays, if I buy something small I just chuck them into my handbag and decline a plastic bag. I made sure I remember the receipt, though, else I’d be stopped for shoplifting.

But, I still accept plastic bags sometimes – else I don’t have anything to place my garbage in!

Keep a Rume in your handbag. That’s what I do. Its small enough to fit if you carry a medium bag. I do accept plastic bags too sometimes – as you said, my garbage needs a place to go! You have a good point about keeping the receipt. I always make sure I keep it too!

Oh, that’s cool! It’s about time they started charging for plastic bags 🙂 In China, they’d started doing that since July 2008 and I (along with as many of the 1.3 billion here) have been re-usable bags.

With time, we found that we literally had no plastic bags for rubbish! So…we got those black garbage bags used solely for garbage. I live in an apartment too so composting isn’t an option either.